Earlier this summer, drag racing hero Shirley Muldowney entered the operating room at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina with the prospect of losing her right lung to a Stage II tumor. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer after months of pain that reached back to last fall, “In a very unladylike way, I cleared my throat and spit it into my sink,” she told ESPN. “And it was nothing but a huge clot of blood. I was like, ‘What the hell is that?'”

However, good news would come in a post-operation follow-up from Dr. Harold Howe: The tissue he removed was not cancerous! Doctors were prepared to remove her entire right lung when they discovered a histoplasmosis, a dangerous fungal infection of the lungs, which was surrounded by fibrosis and chronic inflammation, according to ESPN. Dr. Howe decided to removed the damaged upper and middle portions of Muldowney’s right lung, and lymph nodes. Days later, tests came back confirming the good news.

“I feel like I have another chance,” Muldowney said. “I’m no longer in pain, which is wonderful, and although the rehab has made it tough at times to catch my breath, I feel so much better than I did before. I’m thrilled to get out to Denver and see everyone.”

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Of course, Muldowney isn’t in Denver this weekend for kicks — she’s here to promote Shirley’s Kids, a non-profit charity centered around supporting the future of our motorsport by reaching out to children in need, aiding them in education, healthcare, or other insurmountable burdens. Silas Kline, a 4-year-old from Colorado Springs, who is autistic, will become the latest Shirley’s Kid in Denver. Silas and his family will spend race day with the four-time world champion as guests of the charity and the Bandimere family.

“My doctor is the happiest guy in the world that I’m out of the house and getting some exercise,” Muldowney said. “It will be nice to visit with my fans, the best fans anywhere, and to say thank you to my NHRA family for all the well wishes and prayers I’ve received over the past two months. I feel extremely lucky to be surrounded by some many wonderful people, including Frank Bellini, Nicci Gustavus, Stan and Sheila, and my agent Rob Geiger.”

Muldowney became a legend as the first female to earn an NHRA license in 1965 after racing at Fonda Speedway in New York for several years with her then-husband, and car builder, Jack. From there, Muldowney moved from gas dragsters into Funny Car, winning her first major race at the 1971 IHRA Southern Nationals. She won three NHRA Top Fuel championships in 1977, 1980, and 1982, and is the first woman to win an NHRA national event in pro eliminator in 1976 – and the NHRA ranks her No. 5 in their list of the Top 40 Drivers, 1951-2000. Her pioneering spirit as the “First Lady of Drag Racing” has been reflected in her recovery thus far, returning to the drag strip less than two months after a major operation.